Cuba Grid Partially Collapses, Leaving 10 Million Facing 20-Hour Blackouts
Updated
Updated · Reuters · May 14
Cuba Grid Partially Collapses, Leaving 10 Million Facing 20-Hour Blackouts
9 articles · Updated · Reuters · May 14
Eastern Cuba lost power early Thursday after the national grid partially collapsed, with Santiago de Cuba and much of the island east of Camaguey still largely dark by mid-morning.
20-hour daily outages had already become routine for most of Cuba's nearly 10 million people, and Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said Wednesday the island had run out of fuel oil and diesel.
Trump's January threat of tariffs on any country supplying Cuba with fuel was followed by Venezuela and Mexico halting shipments, sharply worsening the electricity crisis.
Havana saw widespread protests Wednesday night after some neighborhoods went 24 hours or more without power, while the United Nations last week called the U.S. fuel blockade unlawful.
With its economy at 'rock bottom,' could Cuba's energy crisis trigger a new migration wave across the Caribbean?
Will a high-stakes CIA meeting in Havana avert a deeper crisis as Cuba's national power grid collapses?
Can humanitarian aid save Cuba while the very blockade causing the crisis remains firmly in place?
Blackouts and Blockades: How the 2026 Energy Crisis Is Pushing Cuba to the Brink
Overview
As of May 2026, daily life in Cuba is marked by severe economic hardship and a worsening humanitarian crisis. The loss of essential resources, especially fuel, has led to widespread disruptions in transportation, commerce, and daily routines. Many citizens, like Mandy Pruna, are unable to access gas, making it catastrophic for their ability to earn a living, especially as tourism declines. The healthcare system is under immense pressure, with doctors and nurses struggling to maintain services in extremely challenging conditions. These interconnected challenges highlight the profound impact of the ongoing crisis on Cuban society.